Quote:
Originally Posted by Fan in Exile
I'm not ripping this deal or Smith like some others but this move is really just treading water. In my opinion, signing Johnson would be a step back. There's only so much developmental playing time available. Gillies was given the chance to be the guy carrying the load in Stockton last year but Rittich outperformed him. Ideally one of the two should be playing 50 games next year which means one of them should be up here. Based on last season, that should be Rittich. We need to spend what's left of our cap filling other holes.
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I don't really disagree except as to the number of games. I think that whoever comes up - even if it's both of them - should only anticipate around 30 games total, and the starter needs to carry the remaining 50 or so. Smith should be OK for that, and with average goaltending from him should still get the Flames (as long as the rest of the team keeps going!) to the playoffs. That gives both kid goalies some sheltered development - you really don't want them getting ripped apart by super-competent teams in their early days.